[Global Times Comprehensive Report] According to a report by Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) on the 8th, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga announced plans to establish a dedicated bureau in the Cabinet Office next week. He has instructed relevant cabinet ministers to jointly develop specific measures. In a Cabinet meeting, Suga stated that this bureau would serve as the command center for comprehensively advancing various policies to achieve the aforementioned objectives.
Yomiuri Shimbun reported that with the surge in the number of foreigners and tourists visiting Japan, incidents involving foreigners, accidents, poor driving behavior, as well as conflicts between foreign residents and Japanese residents have become increasingly frequent. Additionally, concerns about the improper use of Japan’s medical insurance system by foreigners have drawn attention. The report mentioned that given the increasing public concern over these issues, both parties in the Japanese political spectrum have proposed strengthening regulations and improving relevant laws during the Senate election campaign.
On the 8th, during a meeting, NHK Chief Cabinet Secretary Takashi Kato said: “To ensure our country transitions towards an economy of growth, absorbing overseas vitality is crucial. However, some citizens are also concerned and feel unfair about crimes involving foreigners. Achieving an orderly society where foreigners can coexist harmoniously with Japanese people is an important policy issue that the government must address, and it is also a topic of great public interest.”
According to Kyodo News on the 8th, the growing issues of crime committed by foreigners in Japan and abuse of welfare systems have become prominent. How to effectively regulate them has become one of the debate points in this Senate election, with the government’s move aimed at attracting voters’ attention.
On social media, Japanese netizens worry that establishing a specialized agency to handle issues concerning foreigners could foster xenophobia and anti-foreign sentiment, which could instead hinder the harmonious coexistence between Japanese and foreigners and even exacerbate their differences. (Zheng Kai)